Curious car accident in Oceanside

Boss needed some limes

What appeared to be a single-car accident on eastbound Vista Way, near the intersection of El Camino Real, turned out to be a little more involved when police arrived around 10:00 a.m. on February 4.

Nearby, a homeless man was digging through trashcans and reported the accident. Police on the scene said the witness was helpful in the investigation, which drew three patrol cars and a fire truck and led to the blocking off of both eastbound lanes.

The driver, a man in his 20s, claimed he was cut off by another motorist heading eastbound on Vista Way. The witness said he saw the driver swerve and hit the curb, damaging his front wheel and axle. The car was undriveable.

Upon investigation, police said the driver was unlicensed, had a small amount of marijuana on him (although he was said not to be under the influence), and couldn’t explain whose car it was.

The driver later claimed he had just bought the vehicle and was on his way to work. When asked by police why he was driving unlicensed, the man responded, “My boss called and asked me to pick up some limes on my way in. I was just trying to help him out.”